GLOBAQUA

Managing the effects of multiple stressors on aquatic ecosystems under water scarcity

01.02.2014 bis 31.01.2019

http://www.globaqua-project.eu/en/home/

Water and water-related services are major components of the human wellbeing, and as such are major factors
of socio-economic development in Europe; yet freshwater systems are under threat by a variety of stressors
(organic and inorganic pollution, geomorphological alterations, land cover change, water abstraction, invasive
species and pathogens. Some stressors, such as water scarcity, can be a stressor on its own because of its
structural character, and drive the effects of other stressors. The relevance of water scarcity as a stressor is more
important in semi-arid regions, such as the Mediterranean basin, which are characterized by highly variable river
flows and the occurrence of low flows. This has resulted in increases in frequency and magnitude of extreme
flow events. Furthermore, in other European regions such as eastern Germany, western Poland and England,
water demand exceeds water availability and water scarcity has become an important management issue. Water
scarcity is most commonly associated with inappropriate water management, with resulting river flow reductions.
It has become one of the most important drivers of change in freshwater ecosystems. Conjoint occurrence
of a myriad of stressors (chemical, geomorphological, biological) under water scarcity will produce novel and
unfamiliar synergies and most likely very pronounced effects. Within this context, GLOBAQUA has assembled a
multidisciplinary team of leading scientists in the fields of hydrology, chemistry, ecology, ecotoxicology, economy,
sociology, engineering and modeling in order to study the interaction of multiple stressors within the frame of
strong pressure on water resources. The aim is to achieve a better understanding how current management
practices and policies could be improved by identifying the main drawbacks and alternatives.

Lead WP 4 Geomorphological analysis (GEOMORPH)